Comey Skates: Teflon Jim?

Crime and punishment move over! Political expediency is the New Order of the Swamp. This as the US Department of Justice Inspector General report on the highly political conduct of former FBI director James Comey is just out. (Hint: Agencies don’t waste 83-pages to say “not guilty of anything”) Here are the conclusions – I added emphasis to what I think are the key parts.:

“VI. Conclusion Congress has provided the FBI with substantial powers and authorities to gather evidence as part of the FBI’s criminal and counterintelligence mission. The FBI uses these authorities every day in its many investigations into allegations of drug trafficking, terrorism, fraud, organized crime, public corruption, espionage, and a host of other threats to national security and public safety. In the process, the FBI lawfully gains access to a significant amount of sensitive information about individuals, many of whom have not been charged, may never be charged, or may not even be a subject of the investigation. For this reason, the civil liberties of every individual who may fall within the scope of the FBI’s investigative authorities depend on the FBI’s ability to protect sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure. As Comey himself explained in his March 20, 2017 testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, he was unable to provide details about the nature or scope of the FBI’s ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election because the FBI is very careful in how we handle information about our cases and about the people we are investigating….

Our ability to share details with the Congress and the American people is limited when those investigations are still open, which I hope makes sense. We need to protect people’s privacy…. We just cannot do our work well or fairly if we start talking about it while we’re doing it.

However, after his removal as FBI Director two months later, Comey provided a copy of Memo 4, which Comey had kept without authorization, to Richman with instructions to share the contents with a reporter for The New York Times. Memo 4 included information that was related to both the FBI’s ongoing investigation of Flynn and, by Comey’s own account, information that he believed and alleged constituted evidence of an attempt to obstruct the ongoing Flynn investigation; later that same day, The New York Times published an article about Memo 4 entitled, “Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation.”

The responsibility to protect sensitive law enforcement information falls in large part to the employees of the FBI who have access to it through their daily duties. On occasion, some of these employees may disagree with decisions by prosecutors, judges, or higher ranking FBI and Department officials about the actions to take or not take in criminal and counterintelligence matters. They may even, in some situations, distrust the legitimacy of those supervisory, prosecutorial, or judicial decisions. But even when these employees believe that their most strongly-held personal convictions might be served by an unauthorized disclosure, the FBI depends on them not to disclose sensitive information. Former Director Comey failed to live up to this responsibility. By not safeguarding sensitive information obtained during the course of his FBI employment, and by using it to create public pressure for official action, Comey set a dangerous example for the over 35,000 current FBI employees—and the many thousands more former FBI employees—who similarly have access to or knowledge of non-public information. Comey said he was compelled to take these actions “if I love this country…and I love the Department of Justice, and I love the FBI.” However, were current or former FBI employees to follow the former Director’s example and disclose sensitive information in service of their own strongly held personal convictions, the FBI would be unable to dispatch its law enforcement duties properly, as Comey himself noted in his March 20, 2017 congressional testimony. Comey expressed a similar concern to President Trump, according to Memo 4, in discussing leaks of FBI information, telling Trump that the FBI’s ability to conduct its work is compromised “if people run around telling the press what we do.” This is no doubt part of the reason why Comey’s closest advisors used the words “surprised,” “stunned,” “shocked,” and “disappointment” to describe their reactions to learning what Comey had done. We have previously faulted Comey for acting unilaterally and inconsistent with Department policy.103 Comey’s unauthorized disclosure of sensitive law enforcement information about the Flynn investigation merits similar criticism. In a country built on the rule of law, it is of utmost importance that all FBI employees adhere to Department and FBI policies, particularly when confronted by what appear to be extraordinary circumstances or compelling personal convictions. Comey had several other lawful options available to him to advocate for the appointment of a Special Counsel, which he told us was his goal in making the disclosure. What was not permitted was the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive investigative information, obtained during the course of FBI employment, in order to achieve a personally desired outcome. The OIG has provided this report to the FBI and to the Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility for action they deem appropriate. “

Remarkably, dare we say shockingly, Comey’s behavior was not referred to prosecution.

We are outraged that such conduct was “gotten away with” and thus, it continues the descent of American governance deeper into the hold of the Deep State.

Oh well…you didn’t really expect the DoJ to devour one of their own, did you? I mean, where would the Bash of Trump be in that?

We’re virtually certain that if I were to mishandle government documents in the manner revealed (,more confirmed) in the IG report, the case would have been referred immediately for prosecution. There are, we trust you have figured, two systems of “justice” and “just us” coexisting in America and today’s papering-over BS is just more evidence of that.

Another nail in the coffin of democracy. The Law is either One law, evenly applied to ALLl, or it’s NOT the decrepit bill of goods America represents itself to be.

We now return to real work – wondering who America’s next “Teflon Jim” will be.

29 Comments

looking out of the box on August 30, 2019 at 07:47

Like anyone that knows to much about the elites and the games they play.. He won’t do any time,, he has way to much on to many people.. the laws are not written for those at the upper end of society.. they are intended for the average citizen.. Having said that.. so he doesn’t go into some sort of deep depression where he only thinks there is one way out.. or gets mugged by living in one of the most violent cities in our country…. I think I would move.. someplace in the jungle perhaps.. or some unknown place far far away.. just to keep his spirits up.. LOL LOL LOL….

Bill on August 30, 2019 at 06:05

Don’t know what your article’s going to be about today George but I’ve got some things to do early this morning and wanted to pass this along. I know you are/were a subscriber to Suspicious0bservers. This morning’s edition with links – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=315&v=QWtfhmXWWk4 – has a blurb in it about DARPA requesting access to anyone’s underground bunkers ASAP. The stories about the 12,064 year cycle of Sun burps is getting around so Ben thought it was pertinent to mention this secret government agency’s request. Could be why that little voice in the back of my head has never been overly excited about prepping. If this is God’s idea of a “reset” I think it ought to be pretty effective. If so, hope we can all have a great sit-down discussion on the other side where all things will be revealed as it says somewhere in the Bible. Please let there be beer with no worries about waistlines!

Looking out of the box on August 30, 2019 at 09:27

“has a blurb in it about DARPA requesting access to anyone’s underground bunkers ASAP.”

Bill the boys at DARPA are brainiacs a little naive and are mostly trying to solve an equation. Even though you may have an ethics discussion I think they are looking at the good side of the equation not visualizing the negative.

As far as them knowing or having access.. they already do. A few years ago now I was having a discussion with a couple of friends in a restaurant. I gave them my thoughts on what I seen coming. As i was leaving a gentleman stopped me and excused himself for listening in. We went back and had a deep discussion.. he had lists .. if you buy a thousand rounds they know guns food gas oil they have it already. Not the brainiacs at darpa.. they could care less their hob is to finish the equation, but other agencies do and have had the information for years.

Looking out of the box on August 30, 2019 at 12:15

A point to ponder on this subject…is this..if someone actually talks to someone that I know or that knows me personally. They will say hey think about this a while then give me your th thoughts on it.. if they dont then they ask my opinion right up front..

Many of these kids are just that.. ok now think about this aspect.. I am a catfish in the social economic status of society.. just a crazy old man with an ugly hat that’s read a book or two more than the average. My yearly income is probably lunch money for most.. I’ve never gotten any further than being a made nothing of himself man that rambles on. Now the question……

Periodically through the years I will have some random brainiac contact me with s question about various subjects. Most of which I have little or no interest in.

SO….

How do they know who in the hell I am out of seven hundred million people enough to want my opinion on some idiotic subject I could care less about? We are all on a list.. someplace.. now I doubt I am on a threat list since most would consider me harmless a little eccentric at times but harmless. I know who butters my bread and will follow the herd of cattle mooing to their tune. And will ultimately support what they do even if I disagree.. On the threat list..are you a cow that will moo along with the rest of the herd..or are you the Wiley wolf that will bare his teeth when they come.

Ray on August 30, 2019 at 01:17

“The OIG has provided this report to the FBI and to the Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility for action they deem appropriate”

OIG hasn’t the authority to convene a Grand Jury.

This is why the OIG report went to DOJ. Any pending Grand Jury referral would have to come from OPR, or possibly Barr (although I doubt he has the authority, on his own…)

Warhammer on August 29, 2019 at 12:52

Comey (and by default the FBI) have too much info on too many elites. Punish him, and the Genie immediately flies out of the bottle. The political carnage would make Epstein’s ‘suicide’ look tame.

Bill on August 29, 2019 at 15:59

And the downside to that izzzzz…..? How many mine fields will this country have to go through to get back to a respectable rule of law? Is “it’s just too hard” an acceptable excuse from here on out like the bank bailout of 08? Instead of Occupy Area 51 we need to Occupy D.C.

looking out of the box on August 30, 2019 at 08:20

“How many mine fields will this country have to go through to get back to a respectable rule of law?”

Bill….

At this point I don’t think it could ever happen..

the closest it will go is when there is a cataclysmic event.. we will go back to the feudal system where the strongest win’s. Then anyone can be boss.. for a visual.. consider the movie the postman..

Even now you talk to people that are prepping.. they are prepping for invaders.. sure we bought a billion rounds of ammo for the govt employees they to are expecting the same thing.. panic… just look at videos of the rodney king riot.

when hell is unleashed.. the two hundred that are conspiring will be like the rest of us.. the money will be worthless.. food will be scarce since we now import the vast majority of our food.. gold .. just a hunk of metal.. can’t make a tool out of it.. the old world skills are lost to a country other than our own..

look how long we have been in Afghanistan and the people there with nothing more than pitch forks and sticks..

that is what I find comical about the whole thing.. what could their end game be.. how are they visualizing hell comes to town.. why are they pushing for that final showdown.. do they think they are going to hide in some bunker someplace until everything is sorted out and then come out and take over..

looking out of the box on August 30, 2019 at 08:25

“The best ruler is the one sitting with scholars, and the worst scholar is the one sitting with rulers.”– Hasan Ka?ja Pruscak, “The foundation of the wisdom on constellation of the world”

Looking out of the box on August 29, 2019 at 23:04

“Comey (and by default the FBI) have too much info on too many elites. ”

Hmm.. in the past those that have to much info on the elites usually has a severe case of sadness.

Ray on August 30, 2019 at 01:20

I would make a trip to Amish country, specifically to buy a 50 pound burlap sack of popcorn, and I’d lock my TV on CSPAN, were that to occur… ;-)

d on August 29, 2019 at 12:42

STILL waiting for the AG BARR to DECLASS…..as he was ORDERED to do by TRUMP…..I will not hold my breath….BUT I will say that this country will elect a SOCIALIST…in 2020…and if you think our borders are OPEN now …wait till next year…we will be in compitition with ITALY and europe…..this nation is ‘toast’….starting with…TEXAS

Please recall, sir, that in Joining the US, Texas reserved the right to break into multiple states at its own discretion.

To be sure, there would be WLT (West Latin Texas) and SLT (South Latin Texas) but in the eastern parts of Texas people still “remember the Alamo” and would likely be less inclined to additional helpings of border lunacy. A country once before, this is still a republic at heart. At least deep inthehearta

d on August 29, 2019 at 13:34

George,

I should have stated…as has started with….AUSTIN,Texas

seems to me , what you refereed to about ‘splitting up’….should have already been done after WACO

Steve Yates on August 29, 2019 at 15:23

It is a sad day in the USA, when one of the premier law enforcement agencies is aloud to hold it’s self above the law. Any other agent or DOJ employee would be held accountable. When someone like the trader Comey is aloud to get away with not telling the truth to the highest court in our land and Congress, we are in trouble as a nation. We are either a nation of law or we are not. Our political system is in trouble. Trump was supposed to drain the swamp of these sorry individuals, bit it appears they can survive on land. It just shows both parties are taking advantage of the American people. There is no such thing as an honest political person in Washington, this situation with the FBI and BOP proves it. There is truly two sets of law in this country. Sad day in the USA!

EcuadorExpat on August 29, 2019 at 12:20

Comey has been a front man attorney for the clintons for decades. He is protected by the mountain of dirt the clintons have accumulated on just about everybody in Washington DC and elsewhere.

Representative Dennis Hastert was convicted of bribery and child sexual abuse, and it took 8 years for them to negotiate out his (menial) sentence before he finally did time.

They could not negotiate out what the Clintons know in their lifetimes, and I seriously doubt they will even try. Yes, Americans, your government really is that dirty.

When Republican Comey went running to the Republican Congress ten days before the election to proclaim the Hillary email investigation was re-opened, Conservatives loved him. Now, when Comey kept a copy of his own memo about a direct solicitation to join a cover-up conspiracy, Conservatives are aghast, the Deep State flourishes, and democracy itself is threatened. Culture War Cheerleaders. What ya gonna do? Best, Mike

I expect Comey’s action was “all for show” He knew his crew had cooked it…he could sell the illusion he was a good guy. Now if you can read (ahem) it’s clear he wasn’t. Just another one of those “better than the rest of us” who placed Jim Comey above the letter of the law and even a personal services contract he himself signed. A man who won’t live under the same laws, or strictly honor is own signature deserves not citizenship, but penalties including a paid retirement. In orange.

Warhammer on August 29, 2019 at 12:46

Comey failed to prosecute Hillary for (a) storing classified and U.S. government emails on her private residence server and (b) for lying about it. He tried to save face by tainting her days before the election by writing a letter to Congree (not reopening the investigation) stating that the FBI had “learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation” into the private email server that Clinton used as secretary of state.” Hillary decided to sit out the last two days before the election due to exhaustion instead of swinging thru key battleground states. As a result,Clinton lost Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Forida and Wisconsin, all by approx. one percentage point, which cost her the presidency.

Mark on August 30, 2019 at 00:22

I am with Mike on this one. Double standards.

Ray on August 30, 2019 at 01:11

When Hillary-supporter Comey re-opened the Hillary investigation, it was because FBI field operatives presented evidence to the Southern District of New York, which was in the process of reopening the investigation, when Comey took said action. It was a move made strictly to save face and to keep himself out of the Terre Haute lockup.